Chapter 4 No.4

Gerald's POV

I watched Deloria leave by the roadside and then sent out my location through the phone.

In no time, a Maybach pulled up beside me. The driver rolled down the window.

"Gerald, why didn't you answer my call? And why are you here? Aren't you supposed to go on a business trip this afternoon? I've booked the flight. If we don't leave now, you'll be late."

The man in the car was my brother, Gavin Locksley. His chatter taxed my patience. So I shook my head and got in the car.

Gazing in the direction where the cab drove away, I said, "Take me to the airport."

"Fine." Gavin turned his head reluctantly and started the car.

After keeping quiet for two minutes, Gavin couldn't help but speak up, "So, why would you show up at the county clerk's office? What did you do?"

"I went to register for marriage," I replied casually.

"What?!" Gavin shouted.

The car then jolted. "Eyes on the road. You are the driver!" I frowned and said.

Gavin quickly adjusted the steering wheel, and the car stopped bumping.

"Gerald, are you kidding me? You don't even have a girlfriend. Mom even doubted if you liked men. And now you're saying you got married? We thought marriage was out of the question for you!" Gavin went on while driving.

"I've told you that it was just your own idea. I never said I wouldn't get married," I answered calmly. "Now, I finally got myself a wife. Shouldn't you be happy for me?"

"I don't even know who she is!" Gavin grumbled. "Our family is one of the upper-class families in LA. As the president of our family business, how can you willfully marry someone just like that? You are so cunning! By the time our family needs a business alliance through marriage, I'll be the one who is forced to make a sacrifice."

Listening to Gavin's nagging, I knitted my brows again.

"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll freeze your card," I hissed.

"Please don't do this, Gerald," Gavin pleaded immediately.

I glanced at Gavin and then turned around with content.

"After taking me to the airport, buy an apartment for me. It doesn't need to be located in CBD. Any condo with three or four bedrooms near the Silver Lake Community will do. I don't want it to be too big."

"Seriously? I've never bought an apartment that small. You know what? A few days ago, I had my eye on a lakeside villa. How about I be a dear and let you own it..."

"Gavin!" I said through gritted teeth.

"Fine. You're the boss." Gavin shut his mouth.

The car fell silent again. Soon, Gavin stopped at the entrance to the airport.

After getting on the plane, I breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, I didn't have to listen to Gavin's incessant chatter anymore.

The plane took off. As I watched the city shrinking through the window, I thought of my wife, Deloria.

The negotiation went smoothly, and the trip ended two days earlier than I had expected.

So I booked an evening flight back to Los Angeles. When I landed, the night had already fallen.

Voicemails and text messages from Deloria popped up as soon as I turned on my phone.

I guessed she already knew that I was not the man she was supposed to meet that day.

I got into the car and asked the chauffeur to take me to Deloria's place.

When the car drove to the nearby block, the rain poured down, and the road became congested.

Through the window, I saw Deloria walking by the roadside with an umbrella.

There was a large paper bag in her arms. In it were some veggies.

It seemed she had just gone shopping.

Normally, the supermarket was having a sale at this hour. So I could tell that she was a thrifty girl.

The wind was too strong. Despite holding an umbrella, Deloria still got half-soaked, looking disheveled.

Yet she still clutched the paper bag and walked with her head down.

Sympathy swept over me.

I immediately had the chauffeur pull over. Then I picked up the umbrella in the car and said, "Just go back. No need to wait for me."

With that, I got out of the car and ran to Deloria with the umbrella.

"Watch out," I said. Then I took the paper bag from her arms.

Deloria paused for a few seconds. Then she quickly caught up with me.

"Thank you, sir," Deloria looked at me and murmured her thanks repeatedly. "I can't thank you enough. Suddenly, it started raining. I was worried that my bag would get wet."

I couldn't believe she didn't recognize me. At the thought, I giggled.

"Why are you laughing?" Deloria asked in confusion.